Portugal Through the Eye of a Camera: Interview with Videographer Matty Brown

Editor’s Note: Today, we are featuring a young passionate videographer located in the USA, Matty Brown. Matty has created several works on Iberia, but has passionately spoken of his deep love with Portugal. With our impending move westward, we wanted to get Matty’s feedback on what calls him back year after year.

Can you give us a little intro as to who you are?

My name is Matty Brown, and I am a visual storyteller and a freelance filmmaker. I create moving portraits of life around me: the mundane and the exhilarating alike. I have been making videos since I was five, after the 1989 earthquake in San Francisco inspired me to be a filmmaker and to think differently and creatively about the universe. I grew up in a small town called Rough And Ready, California, where I basically had nothing but my imagination to use up my time. I practiced on my cheap little out-of-date camera until just three years ago. Then, as I played more with filmmaking and experimented with editing and shooting, I realized that I had a knack for it. Today, I write, direct, shoot, and edit, and try to evolve my craft with every video I make.

I found you as a result of a video you produced in 2012 on a boy’s vision in Portugal. What magic does Portugal hold for you both as a videographer and as a traveller?

Portugal is one of the most culture-rich places I have ever visited. I feel like it’s one of the few European cities still untouched by the mainstream, while the majority of others seem to fall into the same atmosphere and uniformity. The uniqueness of the food, buildings, lifestyle, beaches, etc are squeezed so nicely into this small piece of land hugging the edge of Europe. Visually, I don’t think there is a way to fully capture the beauty and scope of the country through a camera lens. It truly needs to be experienced in person.

Recently you took a trip to Portugal for the holidays, exploring the small isolated towns from Lisbon north for which you stated, “A month wandering around Portugal and relaxing in some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.” What constituted the places that stopped your breath, dropped your jaw and made you say, “OMG, this is amazing?”

When the Portuguese built their palaces and city structures, they didn’t hold back with creativity or lavishness. Some of them, such as the Pena Palace, are straight from a fairy tale, resting at the top of a mountain peak and gleaming with colors of yellow, red and blue. But, it was the smaller towns that really took my breath away. These places, deep in the mountains, such as Piodao and any of the neighboring villages, attached to a steep hillside like a cozy nest in a tree. They made my heart swell with love. We coasted slowly through the hills, weaving back and forth through each village admiring the quaint houses and streets, but envying the peaceful, content lifestyle. I hope to one day live away from the mainstream world and in such a beautiful life living from the land and focusing on the most important things in life, family.

Piodao is by far one of my favorite places in the world. I would choose it over Paris, Barcelona, Rome, etc. any day. This little village of a few hundred people looks fake: with houses made of flatly stacked shale and doors painted vivid blue. We wandered around this tiny village through its very narrow, very steep, walkways (only passable by foot). Such a tranquil place, I felt the weight of the world leave me when traveling through those mountains. There is a very strong connection between the land and the people in these small towns. They are fully aware of the ground beneath their feet and fully embrace it.

In the north, we stayed in a gorgeous manor in Peso, right on the border or Spain, where we were surrounded with rolling hills of vineyards and the sound of church bells ringing every hour. I took many quiet walks around the vineyards cleansing the feeling of rushing in my everyday life.

You’ve made a few trips to Portugal over the past few years. What are the things “not to be missed”? This could include food to wine to hidden gems?

I do not drink much alcohol in my everyday life, but when I go to Portugal, it is unavoidable. They greet you with wine wherever you go. It is a staple. I grew very fond of Vinho Verde while traveling through the north. The crispness and lightness of the wines were very palatable to me, especially with their very faint effervescence.

The beef and pork ribs of the north were also delicious. Ironically, I do not eat baby animals, but I have to admit, I tasted the veal and it was irresistible. The 10,000 different Portuguese recipes for codfish could satisfy even the toughest critic, and the Portuguese seafood is unmatched from anywhere I have travelled. From seafood stews, filled with muscles and shrimp, to tiny fried mackerel, I was in heaven.

The pastries, mostly made out of egg yolks and sugar, were very different for me. You’ll see lines out the door at the local bakeries, as people come from all over the world to savor these amazing little culinary works of taste bud art.

The cliffs and beaches that meet Europe to the edge of the world were incredible. Just one day on the coast of Portugal could change your life; at least it changed mine. Last year was my very first time going into the ocean in my entire life, and I will never forget the charging waves and the vibrant colors.

Finally, the sidewalks, which alone are a great reason to visit Portugal. They are structured with millions of black and white square pegs that make up very creative designs of animals, people and abstractions. Walking on these sidewalks puts the yellow brick road in The Wizard of Oz to shame.

If you shoot your ideal video for Portugal, what would it cover?

I would really love to make a narrative film in Portugal, and story of an outsider falling hopelessly in the arms of these people and this land, and discovering himself/herself and what is means to live. I want to show the country as a whole. From the Azores Islands to the outskirts of Monseraz, from beaches of Faro to the lookouts of Braga. But, I would love to tell the story of the people there and really have the world better understand the richness of this beautiful country.

Much of our audience, being avid travellers, takes several videos and photos on their journey. How open and receptive were the Portuguese as you chatted with strangers, shot their photo and recorded a series of videos?

To be honest, I wish the Portuguese were more receptive to being interviewed, receptive to tourists, and to the promotion of their country through the eyes of the photographers who fall in love with them. It is very rare that I get people who are welcoming to the camera, or being personable in Portugal, unless they are acquainted with the people I already know. I had more receptiveness in Israel and Poland (two of the most stressful places I have shot) than I did Portugal. The Portuguese weren’t as rude as some of the people I have encountered in other places, but they were nervous and would turn away immediately. This is the hardest part about trying to capture this country…the people are what make this country special, and it is them who need to show the world that they are proud, excited, and welcoming. How will the world see their greatness and beauty if they run away like a snow leopard in the mist? If you watch my Portugal video, all of the shots of people faces were taken with me hiding behind somebody, or from inside of a vehicle, so that there wouldn’t be any trouble shooting them. Even friends asked me to remove one of my videos from the internet due to their faces being in the video. I am not sure why their society wants to hide from the spotlight. They should embrace it and be proud.

Cheers,

Gabriella Opaz

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This team is first class, they are knowledgeable of all areas of wine, and the Douro. If you are looking for something to do when in Porto I cant recommend their tours enough - first class.
Many places here say they offer the authentic version of Porto, but rarely do - these tours go into places that others don't, they bust the myths of wine, Port and give you the real insights, show you the faces behind the wine.
The tours offered here give you something that is unique, filled with passion and love for this wonderful city and surrounding areas.

Anita Breland

13:51 19 Sep 17

Looking to enjoy a great excursion through some of the world's most beautiful vineyards? Our group's tour off the beaten path with Catavino was a carefree day of discovery in fine company, and with memorable food and wine. A big plus was an opportunity to spend time with a winemaker happy to share his family story, expertise and excellent wine. I cannot think of a better way to experience the authentic Douro!

Cornell Anderson

11:23 04 Oct 17

We just completed a Fall Harvest tour that was organized and led by Catavino Tours. The entire experience was wonderful and met all of our expectations. The tour included several days in and near Lisbon, and then five days in Porto and the wineries and vineyards along the Douro River. All aspects of the tour were planned to provide an exceptional experience for our group of eleven friends. Our tour guide, Ryan Opaz, was extremely knowledgeable about the wines, the Quintas, the history of Port and Portuguese table wine and the country of Portugal. Finally, the food was amazing and included several dinners and lunches with wine makers who were personally know by Ryan. The tour and experience could not have been better!

Julie Dawn Fox

14:18 21 Sep 17

Just spent a wonderful day in the Douro wine region with the Catavino team and a local winemaker. We had breathtaking views of a side of the Douro that most visitors don't get to see, knowledgeable explanations of the grapes, wines and processes and of course, delicious table and port wines, some poured straight from the barrel. The highlight of the day was the chance to join the Purple Foot Club by treading grapes in stone tanks.

Flavio Bastos Amiel

09:53 19 Sep 17

Yesterday we had the chance to visit a few places in the Douro with Catavino. We had the chance to meet one very young producer (Oscar Quevedo: thanks!) who did a complete tour through one of his vineyards and educated us on the different types of grapes the Douro has to offer and how the wine in this winery is made. The highlight was a great food experience in the winery while staring at the amazing Douro landscape, while sipping whites, red and port wine from the same house. Thanks!!

Tom Fakler

09:26 15 Nov 17

Outstanding day trip from Porto with Catavino!
We spent a day off the beaten path in the Douro wine region and its spectacular scenery. We visited a winery where the vintner gave us the most authentic and informative tour of the vineyards and wine cellar we have had. We tasted this year’s new wine and port from a 10,000-liter cask. We had a gourmet lunch with wines perfectly paired.
Our tour was in the harvest season and we were able to participate in the traditional stomping of grapes in a granite lagar. It was a fun time for all!
Catavino and team know the area and vintners well, and this made our day truly special.

David Waldschmidt

15:35 15 Oct 17

My wife and I had a first rate experience touring the wine country in Portugal. Catavino Tours organized the trip for us and friends. The tour was organized down to the most specific details permitting us an experience unencumbered with worry or stress. Best of all, Catavino is extremely well versed in the wine business, the wine country and the people behind the wineries. As a result, we were treated to experiences and face to face interactions that we would never have had on our own or with someone less tied into the art of making wine.

Penedes Wine Tour

About Gabriella Opaz

Born and bred in Chicago, Gabriella is the co-founder and Editor-and-Chief of Catavino. As an award-winning speaker and writer, she uses stories to create a human connection between worlds that would otherwise never converge. Her recently published book, "The Undiscovered Food Stories of Northern Portugal" was inspired by the alluring grandmother stories inside Porto's centenarian open-air market, Mercado Bolhão.

Facebook Reviews

What an amazing trip with a fantastic group of people. It was an education about wine we couldn't have experienced anywhere else. Our guide, Ryan Opaz, was extremely knowledgable and brought great enthusiasm to the experience.

Fantastic tour of the Portugal wine country organized and conducted by the Catavino team. Echoing the comments of the previous reviews below, my wife and I experienced one memorable experience topped each day by the next memorable experience. A week of friendship, learning and interacting all in an environment that was stimulating and stress free. Kudos to Catavino for a wonderful and supremely well organized trip.

Having recently completed Catavino's 2017 Custom Harvest Tour, I am still basking in the afterglow of a full week of cushy hotels, beautiful landscapes, long, succulent dinners highlighting the depth of Portuguese cuisine, and, of course, the spectacular wines from the best regions of Portugal. Catavino has crafted a harvest experience that uniquely capitalizes on Ryan's personal relationships with some of Portugal's preeminent winemakers. This allows us into their cellars for intimate tastings and onto their terraces for wonderful lunches personally hosted by the owners and winemakers. It is a wonderful learning experience for novices and wine geeks alike. Ryan is a great host, and his knowledge and insights add immensely to the experience. This was my second Harvest Tour with Catavino and they continue to deliver a very satisfying week of Portuguese culture, food and wine. A short review can't do justice to a week long trip. I highly recommend that you sign on to one of their trips and find out for yourself!

Our Fall Harvest trip through the Douro valley led by Ryan Opaz and organized by the talented team at Catavino was truly a once in a lifetime experience (well maybe twice)! This was an ongoing visual and sensory experience from start to finish with several “pinch yourself” moments along the way. Like most learning experiences I feel like I’ve retained a fraction of what I learned about the wines and cuisine or Portugal. I guess that’s a reason to do it again

We just completed a Fall Harvest tour that was organized and led by Catavino Tours. The entire experience was wonderful and met all of our expectations. The tour included several days in and near Lisbon, and then five days in Porto and the wineries and vineyards along the Douro River. All aspects of the tour were planned to provide an exceptional experience for our group of eleven friends. Our tour guide, Ryan Opaz, was extremely knowledgeable about the wines, the Quintas, the history of Port and Portuguese table wine and the country of Portugal. Finally, the food was amazing and included several dinners and lunches with wine makers who were personally know by Ryan. The tour and experience could not have been better!

The Catavino team is world class. A tour with them is guaranteed to be something that you won't forget.
They show you a true picture of what goes on, busting myths about the wine and port industry to show you the real side of Douro. Their level of knowledge is incredible, and we had access to wine tasting, grape stomping and meet the faces behind the wine industry. I can't even begin to describe the amazing lunch at the farm, overlooking the most spectacular views that only the Douro provides - breath taking!!
It is guaranteed to be filled with passion and love, leaving you with a yearning to come back time and time again.
Can't recommend this enough.

My husband and I had a wonderful day on a private tour with Ryan throughout the Douro Valley. He is extremely knowledgeable and helped us learn to appreciate Port. Beyond the wonderful private tasting sessions, he also brought us to a delicious lunch at a local Portuguese restaurant. Throughout the entire day, he provided us with tips and recommendations for the remainder of our journey throughout Portugal. The whole day was the highlight of our trip! We would HIGHLY recommend it!

Incredible experience in a beautiful city. Mariana was an amazing guide - we learned so much, sampled some amazing food, and had fun doing it. Two couples were with our 15- and 17-month-old boys and we never felt rushed or out of place. Highly recommend!

Ana arranged a trip for my client through Portugal. My client is a single woman traveling alone and she had the time of her life! I felt very good about having her in Catavino's hands. Thank you for introducing her to Portugal in such a wonderful manner.

I can only second the comments written here. Catavino is highly professional and will stop at nothing to give you an incredible, unforgettable time. All the biggest highlights from my recent trip to Portugal and Spain were made possible by Catavino. I know how much work goes into it- thank you so much Ryan and team. I'd trust you with my holidays any time.

We were part of the 2016 Harvest Tour and had the experience of a lifetime! The Douro Valley is breathtakingly beautiful and our guides were wonderful. Ryan and Gabriella must have called in all of their personal favors because we met and drank wine with many winemakers, a wine shop owner and tasted '72 port which Oscar Quevedo's grandfather had made. Doesn't get any more special than that! Of course, gourmet food at every meal as well. We'll be back!!

When there were hiccups in the itinerary; Catavino was nothing but gracious. They understood what our visit meant to us & offered us fantastic guides & activities. We ooh'ed & aah'ed, ate & drank almost too well (!) & we laughed for days. Deep thanks.

No enough words, even for a wordsmith like me, to say how wonderful it was spending time with Gabriella and Ryan. Our tour with Ryan as our guide to the Douro Valley was spectacular. Excellent wines, wonderful views, terrific people and a delightful lunch topped off with a lovely boat ride. Highly recommended!!

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Google Reviews

This team is first class, they are knowledgeable of all areas of wine, and the Douro. If you are looking for something to do when in Porto I cant recommend their tours enough - first class.
Many places here say they offer the authentic version of Porto, but rarely do - these tours go into places that others don't, they bust the myths of wine, Port and give you the real insights, show you the faces behind the wine.
The tours offered here give you something that is unique, filled with passion and love for this wonderful city and surrounding areas.

Anita Breland

13:51 19 Sep 17

Looking to enjoy a great excursion through some of the world's most beautiful vineyards? Our group's tour off the beaten path with Catavino was a carefree day of discovery in fine company, and with memorable food and wine. A big plus was an opportunity to spend time with a winemaker happy to share his family story, expertise and excellent wine. I cannot think of a better way to experience the authentic Douro!

Cornell Anderson

11:23 04 Oct 17

We just completed a Fall Harvest tour that was organized and led by Catavino Tours. The entire experience was wonderful and met all of our expectations. The tour included several days in and near Lisbon, and then five days in Porto and the wineries and vineyards along the Douro River. All aspects of the tour were planned to provide an exceptional experience for our group of eleven friends. Our tour guide, Ryan Opaz, was extremely knowledgeable about the wines, the Quintas, the history of Port and Portuguese table wine and the country of Portugal. Finally, the food was amazing and included several dinners and lunches with wine makers who were personally know by Ryan. The tour and experience could not have been better!

Julie Dawn Fox

14:18 21 Sep 17

Just spent a wonderful day in the Douro wine region with the Catavino team and a local winemaker. We had breathtaking views of a side of the Douro that most visitors don't get to see, knowledgeable explanations of the grapes, wines and processes and of course, delicious table and port wines, some poured straight from the barrel. The highlight of the day was the chance to join the Purple Foot Club by treading grapes in stone tanks.

Flavio Bastos Amiel

09:53 19 Sep 17

Yesterday we had the chance to visit a few places in the Douro with Catavino. We had the chance to meet one very young producer (Oscar Quevedo: thanks!) who did a complete tour through one of his vineyards and educated us on the different types of grapes the Douro has to offer and how the wine in this winery is made. The highlight was a great food experience in the winery while staring at the amazing Douro landscape, while sipping whites, red and port wine from the same house. Thanks!!

Tom Fakler

09:26 15 Nov 17

Outstanding day trip from Porto with Catavino!
We spent a day off the beaten path in the Douro wine region and its spectacular scenery. We visited a winery where the vintner gave us the most authentic and informative tour of the vineyards and wine cellar we have had. We tasted this year’s new wine and port from a 10,000-liter cask. We had a gourmet lunch with wines perfectly paired.
Our tour was in the harvest season and we were able to participate in the traditional stomping of grapes in a granite lagar. It was a fun time for all!
Catavino and team know the area and vintners well, and this made our day truly special.

David Waldschmidt

15:35 15 Oct 17

My wife and I had a first rate experience touring the wine country in Portugal. Catavino Tours organized the trip for us and friends. The tour was organized down to the most specific details permitting us an experience unencumbered with worry or stress. Best of all, Catavino is extremely well versed in the wine business, the wine country and the people behind the wineries. As a result, we were treated to experiences and face to face interactions that we would never have had on our own or with someone less tied into the art of making wine.